Real Problems

Rachel’s Empty Arms By David Wright Introduction: The Genesis account of Joseph is a familiar Bible story. Even small children in Sunday school classes hear about the beautiful robe worn by Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph was only 17 when his older brothers stripped from him that symbol of their father’s partiality and sold him as…

Mrs. Lot’s Worldly Home By David Wright On the afternoon of February 26, 2004, I was sitting in a medical clinic waiting room. A television tuned to CNN’s “Headline News” was announcing the day’s top stories. In the preceding two weeks, the mayor of San Francisco had been issuing illegal marriage licenses to same-gender couples.…

Mary’s Embarrassing Pregnancy By David Wright Introduction Whitney was an outstanding student in high school. Her GPA was a perfect 4.0. The most difficult courses—chemistry, physics, calculus, trigonometry—were her favorites. Her impressive ACT and SAT scores earned her a full scholarship at the state university 15 miles from home. Whitney is now 19, a second-semester…

The Samaritan Woman’s Immoral Lifestyle By David Wright Introduction One afternoon when I was preaching in Mississippi, my home phone rang. When I answered, a stranger introduced herself and then went straight to the point of her call. She wanted me to perform her wedding ceremony. Since her voice had the husky sound of a…

Rebekah’s Personal Favoritism By David Wright Introduction Anna smiled whenever she remembered playing with her favorite childhood doll. Marcie had golden curls and a soft, fun-to-hug body. Anna had pretended that the doll was her daughter. After dressing her each morning and putting colorful ribbons in her hair, Anna gently laid Marcie in a tiny…

Deborah’s Weak Leader By David Wright Introduction Franklin Delano Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover in the 1932 presidential election. The United States was in the grip of the Great Depression at that time, and the majority of Americans saw Roosevelt as a savior. He retained their confidence for the rest of his life, winning re-election…

Abigail’s Impossible Husband By David Wright Introduction Marrying Brad was a terrible mistake. When Tia was dating him, she relished his striking looks, intelligence, and sense of humor. She found him exciting. But sometimes he almost frightened her. Brad grew up in a home plagued by drunkenness and physical abuse. He told Tia that he…

Join David during his Sunday morning bible class as he walks you through the struggles these women faced. To the 21st century reader, the women of the Bible may seem rather remote. After all, they lived thousands of years ago, spoke languages now dead, and had customs completely foreign to modern American life. Do the…

Eve’s Sinful Desire By David Wright Introduction Immediately after arriving in heaven, Osama bin Laden encounters an irate George Washington, who punches him in the nose and bellows, “How dare you try to destroy the nation I helped establish!” Patrick Henry joins the attack, kicking him in the shins. Then James Madison delivers a ringing…

On the afternoon of February 26, 2004, I was sitting in a medical clinic waiting room. A television tuned to CNN’s “Headline News” was announcing the day’s top stories. In the preceding two weeks, the mayor of San Francisco had been issuing illegal marriage licenses to same-gender couples. President George W. Bush had responded by…